Amid citizenship bill anger, govt clears N-E sops

NEW DELHI : The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared Constitutional amendments to give more resources and administrative powers to the autonomous councils of the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura, amid an ongoing controversy over the citizenship bill that seeks to allow minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan to become Indian citizens.

Announcing the Cabinet decision, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Finance Commission will be asked to recommend devolution of financial resources to the 10 autonomous district councils as well as village and municipal councils in the so-called sixth schedule areas of the north-east.

This move to amend Article 280 and the sixth schedule to the Constitution, the government maintained, will fulfil the “long standing aspirations” of tribespeople in the region. The sixth schedule of the Constitution makes special provisions for the management of areas dominated by tribals in the region.

It lists 10 autonomous district councils across the four states with specific judicial and administrative powers.

“This will be a game changer, as it will substantially enhance the funds available to these local government institutions for undertaking development works in these tribal areas,” Prasad said after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet finished its meeting.

The Cabinet also cleared 30% reservation for women in these councils.

MOVE COMES AMID ROW OVER THE CITIZENSHIP BILL THAT SEEKS TO ALLOW MINORITIES FROM BANGLADESH, PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN TO BECOME INDIAN CITIZENS

“The amendment provides for transfer of an additional 30 subjects, including the Public Works Department, Forests, Public Health Engineering, Health and Family Welfare; Urban Development, Food and Civil Supply department to Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council (KAATC) and Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council (DHATC) in Assam, thus greatly strengthening the autonomous councils and giving them a major role in the day to day governance and developmental activities,” a government statement said.

“The village councils will be empowered for preparation of plans for economic development and social justice including those in relation to agriculture, land improvement, implementation of land reforms, minor irrigation, water management, animal husbandry, rural electrification, small scale industries and social forestry,” it added.

Many leaders from the northeast, refused to give credit to the BJP . Assam Congress president Ripun Bora claimed it was his party “which initiated these changes to empower tribals of Assam and northeast. By taking unilateral decision on a subject relating to concurrent list, Centre has violated federal structure and encroached upon powers of state government. This is nothing but an election gimmick.”

The BJP spokesperson in Tripura, Ashok Sinha, maintained that the proposed amendment to Article 280 will give more financial resources to autonomous district councils for developmental work.